The Clark County Commissioners approved the 2016 budget for the county totaling over $159.22 million. Of this total budget, the commissioners have direct control over the general fund only. The total approved spending for the general fund totals $44.2 million. The spending for 2016 reflects a $3 million increase over 2015.
In this budget, the largest expenditures are for the Sheriff’s Department at $14.7 million, Juvenile Courts, Probation and Detention at 4.45 million, Building and Grounds at $2.8 million, and the Court System, at $6 million.
Most of the appropriations for the departments funded by the General Fund remained within 5% of the appropriations for 2015.
The only funds to which the commissioners allocated significant increases were Community Development at a 36.3% increase, Data Processing at a 25.2%, Board of Elections at a 20%, Coroner at an 11.4%, Debt Services at a 23.3%, and the Wellness Program at a 138.8%
The Community Development increase resulted from the commissioners’ commitment to allocating $500,000 to be set aside each year for Economic Development and Capital Projects. The fund will allow the commissioners to save to help fund projects that create jobs, increase retail and commercial activities or support other economic development within the county. According to Commissioner David Herier, this type of fund “is how other communities entice industry to locate in their area.”
The increase for Data Processing is the result of increased expenditures to support county business. The Board of Elections increase resulted from the increase costs because of the presidential election. Furthermore, the increase for the Coroner’s Office was necessitated by the increased need for autopsies because of the heroin epidemic. The Wellness Program increase occurred because of a grant the county received to develop a wellness program for county employees.
Although the Debt Services Fund was increased by 23.3%, most of the additional funds will be transferred to the rainy day fund that is used to help with budget shortfalls in years where revenues do not match expenditures.
At Commissioner John Detrick’s request, the commissioners approved an increase in the allocation to the Dayton Development Coalition from $15,000 to $25,000, Detrick said, “Belonging to the Dayton Development Coalition allows us to work regionally to develop economic opportunities for the area. We work with jurisdictions from Piqua to Middletown.” The commissioners will vote on the amendment at the March 2, 2016 meeting.
In regular business, the commissioners approved three contracts for the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS). First, they amended the contract with the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Springfield to add subcontractor language that was inadvertently omitted from the original contract. The contract is effective from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017 for $360,000.
Second, they authorized a contract with the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for $245,749 for legal representation from April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017.
Third, the commissioners approved an increase in the contract with CHOICES, Inc by $6,000 and extended the contract termination date through the end of the grant period. This grant is funded through the Dave Thomas Foundation Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Grant. The amendment is effective February 24, 2016 and extends the contract through June 30, 2016. The new contract total is $55,000.
In preparation for the 2016 road repair projects for the Engineer Department, the commissioners approved an increase in the contract with RB Jergens Contractors by $45,583.01 to settle a claim for a utility delay/conflict for the Lower Valley Pike Project. The total contract is worth $6,189,592.38. According to County Administrator Nathan Kennedy the project is expected to be completed something in the spring or summer of 2016.
They also authorized the appropriation of real property owned by Betty R, McCarley at 3421 Deer Road, and Donna L. Whitacre at 4455 Deer Road for the Derr Road Widening Project. According to Kennedy, the appropriations are necessary when the county cannot locate the property owners to negotiate the right of way. They also purchased the right of way for this project for $8,651 from Tiller Farms, LLC.
For Building and Grounds, the commissioners approved the annual maintenance contract with Waibel Trane to provide HVAC Maintenance for the Public Safety Building for $31,200 effective March 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017.
For the Solid Waste District, they authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Board of County Commissioners on behalf of the Clark County Solid Waste District and the City of Springfield to use a 40 cubic yard solid waste container for disposal of illegally dumped debris collected by Clark County and the City of Springfield effective February 24, 2016.
The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for March 2, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Conference Room at 50 E. Columbia Street.
